Tissue Engineering Part B: Reviews

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) is a blood product with higher platelet concentrations than whole blood, offering controlled delivery of growth factors (GFs) for regenerative medicine. PRP plays pivotal roles in tissue restoration mechanisms, including angiogenesis, fibroblast proliferation, and extracellular matrix development, making it applicable across various regenerative medicine treatments. Despite promising results in different tissue injuries, challenges such as short half-life and rapid deactivation by proteases persist. To address these challenges, biomaterial-based delivery scaffolds, such as sponges or hydrogels, have been investigated. Current studies exhibit that PRP-loaded scaffolds fix these issues due to the sustained release of GFs. In this regard, given the widespread application of PRP in clinical studies, the use of PRP-loaded scaffolds has drawn significant consideration in tissue engineering (TE). Therefore, this review briefly introduces PRP as a rich origin of GFs, its classification, and preparation methods and discusses PRP applications in regenerative medicine. This study also emphasizes and reviews the latest research on the using scaffolds for PRP delivery in diverse fields of TE, including skin, bone, and cartilage repair.

Electric fields (EFs) offer a powerful tool for manipulating cells and modulating their behavior, holding significant promise for regenerative medicine and cell biology. We provide a comprehensive overview of the effects of different types of EF on eukaryotic cells with the special focus on physical mechanisms and signaling pathways involved. Direct current EF induces electrophoresis and electroosmosis, influencing cell migration, proliferation, and differentiation. Alternating current EF, through dielectric polarization and dielectrophoresis, enables cell manipulation, trapping, and sorting. Pulsed EF, particularly high-intensity, short-duration pulses, induces reversible and irreversible electroporation, facilitating drug and gene delivery. The review covers some technological aspects of EF generation, emphasizing the importance of experimental setups, and integration with microfluidic platforms for high-throughput analysis and precise manipulations. Furthermore, the synergistic potential of combining EFs with optical tweezers is highlighted, enabling fine-tuned control of cell positioning, intercellular interactions, and measurement of biophysical properties. Finally, the review addresses limitations of EF application, such as field heterogeneity and potential side effects, and outlines the directions for future studies, including developing the minimally invasive delivery methods.

The temporomandibular joint (TMJ) comprises the mandibular condyle, the articular surface of the temporal bone, and the articular disc. The articular cartilage in the TMJ is classified as fibrocartilage, which has distinct zones: the fibrous, proliferative, mature, and hypertrophic zones. TMJ osteoarthritis (TMJOA) is a prevalent condition affecting the TMJ, with its pathogenesis involving multiple factors such as trauma, occlusal instability, joint overload, and others. Current treatment options encompass noninvasive, minimally invasive, and surgical interventions. However, no definitive cure has been found. Tissue engineering offers a novel approach to treating TMJOA by promoting cartilage repair and regeneration by constructing artificial cartilage grafts made from a combination of cells, bioactive factors (BFs), and biodegradable scaffolds. Among the scaffolds commonly used in research are hydrogels, nanoparticles, and three-dimensional-printed structures, with mesenchymal stem cells serving as the primary cell source. Additionally, exosomes and gene therapy have shown promise in TMJOA treatment. Despite significant progress, optimizing the integration of seed cells, BFs, and scaffold materials remains a critical focus for future research. This article provides an in-depth review of the latest advancements in TMJ condylar cartilage tissue engineering.

The female reproductive system is highly complex, making it essential for applied research and translational medicine to accurately model its intricate physiological functions or develop strategies for restoring them. However, significant structural and functional differences between human and animal models, along with the limitations of static 2D cell culture technologies, underscore the need for more dynamic and sophisticated in vitro platforms, as well as in vivo therapies. These advancements are critical for deepening our understanding of reproductive biology and supporting clinical applications. Recent advancements in additive manufacturing technology have opened new frontiers in the study of the female reproductive system. By introducing diverse preclinical models and expanding the range of potential applications, this field has reached new heights, with the rapidly evolving research paradigm reshaping the scientific landscape. This review aims to summarize the growing body of evidence surrounding bioengineering strategies, platforms, and therapies in female reproductive medicine, with the goal of advancing our understanding of female reproductive biology and providing new avenues for fertility restoration. Specifically, we will examine the historical development, technological innovations, and scientific research related to the creation of 3D-engineered tissues for reconstructing the female reproductive system.